Nacho Monreal Injury: Updates on Arsenal Star's Knee and Return

Nacho Monreal is fighting for full fitness after developing a knee injury. He was available for Arsenal against Liverpool, though.

Continue for updates.

Sunday, Dec. 21

Monreal Available vs. Liverpool

Arsenal announced Monreal's status:

Thursday, Dec. 18

Monreal Battling Liverpool Deadline

Arsene Wenger has revealed Monreal might just win his race to be fit for Sunday's trip to Liverpool, per the Gunners' official website:

"

There’s a slight chance of Monreal being available and a very slight chance for Walcott. We hope that Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fit. We’ll see that on Saturday.

"

Thursday, Dec. 11

Monreal Won't Return vs. Newcastle

Arsene Wenger confirmed Monreal will not be ready in time for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday, per the club's official website:

"

Our main problems are still defensively because Laurent Koscielny (calf from Southampton match) looks like he will not be quite ready, Nacho Monreal (foot) is not back and Calum Chambers is suspended

"

Friday, Dec. 5

Monreal Out of Stoke Match

Arsene Wenger confirmed on Friday that Monreal will not be fit for Arsenal's trip to Stoke:

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Montreal Back vs. Southampton

Nacho Monreal has returned to the Arsenal lineup, according to the team's official Twitter feed: 

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Monreal Doubtful for Southampton Clash

Arsene Wenger is unsure if he will have either of his left-backs for Wednesday's visit of Southampton:

Saturday, Nov. 29

Monreal Withdrawn at West Brom

Monreal was replaced by Kieran Gibbs in the 23rd minute of the Gunners' Premier League clash at the Hawthorns after suffering an unspecified injury:

After the match, manager Arsene Wenger confirmed that Monreal had suffered a knee injury, according to Arsenal's official Twitter feed:

Monreal has shifted from left-back to centre-back this season, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been extremely impressed with the manner in which he has handled the transition, per ESPNFC.com:

"

He is playing very well, he doesn't get enough credit because against Manchester United, against Dortmund, he was in the top three for me with the quality of his performance.

I tested him (at centre-back) before the season started in the Emirates Cup tournament and I could see that he understands and reads the game well. It is the most important quality in this position.

"

In addition to solid defensive play, Monreal has proved to be capable of activating the attack with his accurate passing, as evidenced by this stat courtesy of WhoScored.com:

Arsenal are in a position where every match is huge, and although they entered Saturday just two points out of fourth place, ascending to that level won't be easy without Monreal's services.

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